Mild, rainy summer likely to linger on

Last year's hot air dome is nowhere to be seen

Jul. 30, 2013

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Joe and Judy Billups of Milford sit and enjoy the view along the Ohio River at Downtown's Smale Riverfront Park on Monday. 'It is a perfect day,' said Joe. / The Enquirer/Adam Birkan

Forecast

Tuesday: High 80, low 67. Chance of thunderstorms in the evening.

Wednesday: High 81, low 67. Showers likely, chance of thunderstorms in the evening.

Thursday: High 82, low 65. Chance of thunderstorms during the day.

Friday: High 82, low 67. Mostly sunny.

Source: National Weather Service

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If you feel like your umbrella and sweatshirt have been pulling extra duty lately, you’re right.

This summer’s been cooler and wetter than normal, a trend that’s expected to continue through next week, thanks to a string of low pressure systems and cold fronts.

We’ll top out in the low 80s this week and stay cool – with highs in only the mid to upper 70s next week – according to National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Kurz.

As for the August forecast? It’s still anyone’s guess.

BIG TURNAROUND FROM LAST SUMMER

Temperatures in May through July have averaged 71 degrees this year, 0.8 degrees cooler than normal. It’s a big contrast from last July, when temperatures were about 5 degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

The city had a record low of 53 degrees overnight Sunday.

Although the cool temperatures may have people breaking out sweaters, rain is perhaps the bigger story of the summer. Remember those rained-out Independence Day picnics? That was part of a pattern. This region has seen more than double the precipitation it got last year: 16.61 inches in May through July compared with just 7.3 inches during that period last year.

In July alone we’ve had 5.37 inches of rain, almost 2 inches more than normal. Last July, rainfall was about 2 inches below normal.

Kurz said last summer was especially hot and dry because of a persistent area of high pressure in the eastern United States.

“You’d have this dome of hot air just building for days on end,” Kurz said. “That would contribute to the warmth. We had several days with temperatures at 100 and numerous days above 90. It also prevented other systems from bringing rain in.”

This year, there’s no such obstruction. We’ve had system after system bringing rain and cool air to the area.

In fact, for almost a month – June 21 to July 24 – there was rain somewhere in the forecast area every day, said Kurz, something unusual for this region at this time of year.

GOOD FOR CROPS, POWER BILL, BAD FOR THOSE IN FLOOD ZONES

All that rain has been good for the crops and gardens – and likely for residents’ bills as they keep their sprinklers shelved and their air conditioners off.

It’s been bad for the flood zones, though. As rain saturates the ground, it’s led to flash flooding in some areas, spurring wet basements and flooded roads.

When wet weather combines with faulty sewer systems, it creates even worse problems. That’s exactly what happened in Covington this month.

Covington’s storm sewer issues were among the worst in the area, backing raw sewage and water into homes.

The Covington City Commission held a special meeting on July 9 about the flooding, hearing from a vocal crowd of more than 80 residents. Residents were frustrated about a lack of action by state and local government.

So what’s on tap for August? It’s too early to say how hot it will be. But keep that umbrella handy.

“We’re on the fringe of an area that will see continued above normal precipitation,” said Kurz.